Things to Do on the North Shore, Mile by Mile

Here is a catchall of things to do on the north shore. Mile-by-mile recommendations along the North Shore Scenic Drive, an All-American Road, from Canal Park in Duluth, along the shore, through the burgs and woodlands, to the international border at Grand Portage with a taste of what to expect in Canada. This is just a sampling, get out and make your own discoveries! Note the mileage is indicated by the blue milemarker signs posted every mile along Highway 61.

mileage from duluth's aerial lift bridge

what you'll find

0.0

Aerial Lift Bridge

Watch gargantuan counterweights slowly descend, raising the 900-ton span of the Aerial Lift Bridge nearly 140 feet in the air to allow 1000-foot ore boats to pass into the harbor.

0.0

Maritime Museum

Learn the history of area shipping at the US Army Corps of engineers Lake Superior Maritime Museum. They list and announce all ship arrivals and departures, too. It's free!

A 300-yard beach littered with pink rhyolite slabs from the nearby northern cliff; a few trails, public launch and seasonal restrooms.

46.0

Split Rock Lighthouse & State Park

Make some time to hike, tour, see and learn. Some summer evenings at dusk, they still light the light. Really want to see it lit? Each November 10th, the beacon is lit at the Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial.

50.0

Beaver Bay

Stop at the wayside rest and visitor center and admire the Beaver River, Falls and Bay. Ride your to Split Rock Lighthouse and back along the Gitchi Gami State Bike Trail.

53.7

Silver Bay Marina

Watch ships being loaded with taconite, have a picnic and see if anyone caught fish.

54.8

Black Beach / Onyx Beach

This calm slice of shoreline gets its name from the taconite tailings [crushed rock] that makes up the beach. Offering picnic tables, outhouses and an uncrowded beach.

Directions -- shortly after the only stoplight on Hwy 61 [in Silver Bay], turn south on Mensing Drive for 0.1 mile, then right on West Lakeview Rd for 0.4 miles.

56.0

Palisade Head

Drive to the top [seasonally], ooh and aah over the panoramic vistas, then look down and see if there are any blueberries to pick.

58.5

Tettegouche State Park

Walk the spur trails to Shovel Point and the mouth of the Baptism River. [Tip: clean, accessible bathrooms available 24/7. You're welcome.]

60.0+ 7miles

St Urho

Drive north on MN Highway 1 5.9 miles to the intersection with Lake County Road 7; hop out and have your picture taken with the wooden carving of St Urho.

73.3

Sugarloaf Cove

Take a leg-stretcher along the 1-mile interpretive nature trail that departs from the parking area.

77.0

Taconite Harbor

A tiny little town used to be on the west side of the road leading down to the harbor; you can still see some of the blacktop in the weeds. Prettier views are down at the harbor and just to the east, you might be lucky and see an occasional ship unload coal for the power plant located there.

78.8

Cross River

Highway 61 spans the river mid-waterfalls. while the drive-by view is nice, stop and walk the pedestrian bridge, an ideal vantage point for photos.

80.4

Temperance River

Hike a short way upriver to the amazing gorges, then return south of the highway and walk across the footbridge. During spring runoff or after rainy days, the river spray will mist you. Back in the day, this was the only river without a bar at the mouth, hence the name, Temperance.

83.3

North Shore Commercial Fishing Museum

Check out the relics, artifacts and photos donated by descendants of the original immigrants. In the twin-gabled red fish house replica.

86.1 +

Oberg Mountain

Hike the Oberg Mountain Trail, which is especially beautiful during fall colors; 2.25-mile total. From Hwy 61, drive north about 2 miles on the Onion River Road.

90.1+

Lutsen Mountains

Four seasons of fun. Besides the obvious winter opportunities on the four mountains, check out the non-snowy Alpine Slide, hiking and biking trails and the always-lovely tram ride to Moose Mountain.

99.8

Cascade River State Park

Find the cascades!

104.0

Cut Face Creek Wayside Rest

Big views from the western pullover; picnic tables and a cobblestone beach at the wayside. Just lovely!

109.6

Artist Point

Take in the East Bay and Harbor before ambling along the paths of artist Point. Include a walk out to the lighthouse for a different perspective of Grand Marais.

Take in the wide open Lake Superior views at this landmark for early travelers, located five miles from Grand Marais.

118.7

Kadunce River Wayside

Relax, skip stones and picnic on the beach and be sure to include a hike up the river.

123.8

Judge C.R. Magney State Park

Tip your hat to Judge Magney, namesake of this park and visionary who helped establish 11 North Shore state parks and waysides. Home of the famous Devil's Kettle Falls, a 2.25-mile round trip hike on the east side of the river.

144.0

Grand Portage National Monument

Learn local culture, history and art; Pow Wow and Rendezvous Days second full weekend in August. Turn right toward Mile Creek Road and continue .75 miles.

150.5

Grand Portage State Park

All about the High Falls; take the .5-mile accessible path and boardwalk through a mixed hardwood-conifer forest to the 120-foot falls. Bring your camera.

151.00

International Border

Make your trip international - cross the border and spend some time in Canada [you will need a passport or other approved documents to cross the border].

151.0 +

Canada

Thunder Bay is 37 miles northeast of the border; some stops along the way include the Middle Falls Provincial Park, farm stands and pick-your-own strawberry fields, Fort William Historical Park and the 131-foot Kakabeka Falls.